Nekima Levy Armstrong was arrested on January 22, 2026, following her role in organizing and leading a protest that disrupted a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, drawing national attention and sparking intense discussion about protest rights and religious freedom. The arrest was announced by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who said federal authorities acted after the Sunday service demonstration targeted a church pastor also serving as a local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official.
Who Is Nekima Levy Armstrong?
Nekima Levy Armstrong is a well-known civil rights attorney, ordained minister, and activist based in Minneapolis. She has been involved in high-profile activism for years, including leadership roles in local justice movements and serving as president of the Minneapolis NAACP chapter. Her work frequently focuses on racial injustice, police reform, and immigrant rights. Prior to this latest incident, she was active in community protests and legal efforts across the Twin Cities region.
What Happened at Cities Church?
On January 18, 2026, a group of protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul during a Sunday service. Those demonstrators, led in part by Levy Armstrong, voiced opposition to the presence of a pastor who also held a leadership role with ICE. Protesters chanted slogans including “ICE out” and “Justice for Renée Good,” in reference to a 37-year-old mother fatally shot by an ICE officer earlier in January.
The interruption of worship sparked immediate reactions from churchgoers and broader communities, with video of the event spreading widely on social media. Protesters called on the pastor to resign from his federal role, arguing that the dual position posed a conflict with his spiritual leadership.
Federal Response and Arrest
Federal authorities, including the FBI and Homeland Security agents, arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The Attorney General emphasized that attacking or disrupting worship services in religious spaces will not be tolerated, stating that disrupting a place of worship carries serious legal consequences. The arrest reflects federal efforts to enforce laws that protect religious freedoms.
Another individual connected to the protest was also taken into custody alongside Levy Armstrong. While specific charges have not yet been publicly detailed, federal officials have indicated that laws related to interfering with religious worship could be applied.
Legal Issues and the FACE Act
Legal analysts note that the Justice Department may pursue charges under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a federal statute that prohibits the use of force or intimidation to interfere with someone’s participation in a service at a place of worship. Although the FACE Act is often associated with protecting access to medical facilities, it also covers interference with religious services. The application of this act in the Minnesota case underscores the gravity with which the government views disruptions inside sacred spaces.
The Department of Justice quickly opened a civil rights investigation after the protest. While the FACE Act is one potential basis for charges, it remains unclear exactly how prosecutors will frame the legal case against Levy Armstrong and others arrested.
Public and Community Reaction
The arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong has drawn sharply divided responses. Supporters of her activism view her actions as morally driven and aimed at confronting what they see as unjust immigration enforcement practices. They argue that her protest highlighted broader issues affecting immigrant communities and systemic policy failures.
Critics, including religious leaders and some political figures, have condemned the disruption of a worship service. Many argue that churches should be protected as safe spaces and that political dissent should not occur during sacred gatherings. Southern Baptist leaders and other Christian voices quickly defended the sanctity of the service, arguing that social issues should not be advanced through interrupting worship.
The protest and ensuing arrest also fed into broader debates about the surge in immigration enforcement in Minneapolis–St. Paul under federal operations. Protesters have criticized aggressive tactics by ICE agents, while federal leaders have maintained that enforcement is necessary. This tension has fueled further demonstrations and discussions nationwide.
Broader National Impact
The incident involving Nekima Levy Armstrong has become part of a larger national conversation about the balance between free speech and the protection of religious worship. It raises questions about where the line should be drawn between civil disobedience and unlawful interference.
Faith communities across the U.S. are now engaging in their own debates about how to address political issues while respecting the integrity of worship services. Some see active protest within churches as a powerful tool for justice, while others argue such actions undermine the core purpose of religious gatherings.
What’s Next in the Case
As of now, formal charges against Nekima Levy Armstrong have not been fully disclosed. Legal proceedings are expected to unfold in federal court, and attorneys on both sides will likely debate the applicability of laws like the FACE Act. The outcome of this case may set precedents for how similar protests are treated when they occur inside or adjacent to houses of worship.
The arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong marks a significant and controversial moment in ongoing debates over protest tactics, religious freedom, and immigration policy in the United States.
What do you think about the balance between protest rights and protecting worship spaces? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
